A fire aboard the San Marino-flagged chemical tanker Wine Trader in Romanian Black Sea waters left seven of its 12 crew members missing Thursday, as high waves hampered rescue efforts near Sulina.
Romania’s naval authority said five sailors had been rescued. The Interior Ministry said it sent two Black Hawk helicopters and two vessels carrying medical staff. The ministry said very high waves were complicating the search.
Romanian officials reported that Russian drones had strayed into the country’s airspace overnight. Officials did not connect that report to either tanker fire.
The Yara J, a chemical and oil tanker sailing under the Comoros flag, also burned near Sulina late Wednesday. Romanian authorities said its crew were safe.
At a security conference in Warsaw earlier this week, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the Black Sea as “a global food artery” and called for more investment in deterrence and defense.
